Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:51 pm on November 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Saturday the 18th 

  Hello Peeps.  The sun is welcoming.

  Yes, I have been busy with my Murphy Wood Wipes.  Right now the aroma of them is filling the living room.  All right, I admit I am going a bit beyond as Carrie and her family will be joining us for Thanksgiving.  I am not saying there is a white glove test, but . . .

  In many days past when I was a youngster and put in charge of Saturday dusting, mom dug out a Watkin’s product.  It was an oil-based liquid and pink in a clear glass bottle.  It, too, had a wonderfully clean scent.  A bit of that on the dust rag and I was good to go.  Even on the wool dust mop a few drops would do the linoleum.  We did not have any carpeting in the Boon Lake Township farm house during the years I was at home.

  As it is, we do not have any carpeting in our home here on Stauffer Avenue.  We have one small rug in the bathroom in front of the toilet and a second small one in the back entry of our home.  Forced air furnaces make enough dust without having a lot of fabric embellishments to collect it.

  Two of our neighbors have Christmas decorations on their homes.  This is the perfect weather to do it in.  I enjoy them, more so than us putting some out.

  Our tree dump is still open and the trailers with tarps over their leaves has been making use of it.  Our front yard has been blown clean.  Our Northern Red Oak in the backyard is holding tight to its huge leaves.  I bought that tree when it was four feet tall when the then-Pamida store would have spring offerings in a parking lot hoop.  I believe it is well over forty feet tall.  Dennis used the leaf blower getting the leaves away from the sliding patio doors to the east. 

  This is the extent of what I have to dribble out and put together for a posting.  There are those days when the wordsmith sloughs off.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:56 pm on November 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Nip in the Air 

  The nip in the air this morning has now been overtaken by a quiet 47 sunny degrees.  Being at the mercy of some of the strong winds of late has still been easier to take than winds such as that with snow on the ground.

  When we were in Sam’s Club last, one of the endcaps featured Betty Crocker Peanut Butter cookie mix.  Hmm.  I have seen similar boxed mixes but never tried them.  For the price of $6.98 the box held three pouches of mix.  Each pouch needed one egg, 1 Tablespoon of water and three tablespoons of cooking oil.  I made sure I had mixed up the egg well.  The number of cookies per pouch depended on how large you rolled the ball of dough.  This pouch gave us 17 fairly large cookies.  Our local grocers makes a dozen cookies for $4.49 per carton.  Their cookies are better than any others from different stores.

  In recent times I have difficulty with measuring dry ingredients so what is needed actually gets in the mixing bowl.  Yes . . . I have paid the $4.49 per dozen.  Would I tackle a mix similar to the one of today?  Yes.  The ingredients that were called for was a bit of a challenge to get stirred together.  I didn’t have to get it done in five minutes.  I took my time and set the bowl into the sink so the height of the bowl was easier for me rather than the counter top.  When Dennis came in, he commented on how good the kitchen smelled and offered to wash up the few dishes I had dirtied.  Sweet!

  Megan texted this morning and she will board a plane at six tomorrow morning (Saturday) to come to Minnesota over Thanksgiving.  I haven’t seen her since last Thanksgiving.  I saw Nicholas at Easter of this year.  I plan on sitting back and letting my grandchildren tell me whatever they feel I need to know.  Tee Hee.

  Dennis had coffee company in the patio porch this morning.  Lots of farm visiting.  According to Doug, this year’s harvest equaled last year’s.  One would have thought the dry conditions would have made a bigger difference.

  Last night we had a Bird’s Eye frozen skillet bag meal.  Lots of sauce with chicken, carrots, broccoli, peas and pasta.  There will be a repeat this evening as it made a huge skillet.  For the price of $5.98 on sale, it was a well-balanced meal. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on November 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Wind Gusts 

  Wind gusts as high as 45 mph from the south.  This is the year when weather patterns had no rhyme or reason.  On Stauffer Avenue we take each day as it presents itself.

  My get up and go has left me today.  That is not so unusual.  We had had a few less than good nights of sleeping working with CPAP technology.  Last night with the headgear being worn that we went after yesterday, Dennis slept through the night until six this morning.  Sweet.

  Rest is so important for each of us.  If there is a spell of restlessness, there is no such thing as getting caught up with rest.  Who would have thought that me going to bed at nine, would still be me in bed at seven the next morning.  I have tried staying up later, it just doesn’t work.  The spring on my internal clock knows what is good for me.  Why fight it. 

  Looking at November’s calendar, grandson Nicholas will be 16 on the 19th.  Nicholas is not into sports but has a natural curiosity about anything with moving parts.  I am sure if the appointment for his driving test has not yet been made, he will be anxious, just like any other young person.  It’s ok Nicholas, Grammie didn’t pass hers the first time either.  Pulling up to the the armory in Hutchinson . . . I was crushed.  I did pass my chauffer’s driving test the first time around.  I have always kept that rider on my license . . . for no real reason.  One time when working at the courthouse, I was asked to go out and move a grain truck to the appropriate place for the testing.  Apparently the examiner had asked the license center to look through employee’s license records for someone to help.  The owner wasn’t allowed by the examiner to move it as he had no license to do that.  The skirt got hitched up and the deed was done.  Oh Grammie . . . memories.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on November 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Not Planned 

  Today a trip to Mankato that was not planned. 

  Dennis has been using a CPAP machine for sixteen years to aid him in night time sleeping to avoid Sleep Apnea, the heart stopping.  All had been going quite well for some time.  Once a year, the pulmonary department requires the prescription to be renewed for the medical supplies of the CPAP.

  We saw several different people during that time as personnel was being shifted.  A month ago, the strong suggestion was that Dennis use a new headset that might cut down on the episodes of the mask leaking air.  So be it.  During last night both Dennis and I agreed that things were not working as they should.  Tried for a month and still working to find the right adjustments.  We were up at one and also at three trying to find what would work.  Today we went back to the Mayo store and Dennis requested the headgear and gasket that had been working for him.

  I cannot imagine having to suit up as Dennis does every night and has been for sixteen years.  He needs to know what works for his night’s rest and not the well meaning people that work with patients.

  While we were in Mankato, I requested some retail therapy.  I had finished a piece of counted cross stitch about a month ago and wanted it to be more than getting moved around on my sewing tables.  In Hobby Lobby I found the perfect frame, 16″ x 16″.  There is a standard colored cheapy print in it, that I will replace with my threads and fuzz.  Of course the department I needed was in the farthest corner of the store.  Whew!  I now have a new goal in my studio.  Sweet success for a trip not planned.

  Today as we traveled we saw fields being tiled for better drainage and acres being worked down after the harvest was off.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:04 pm on November 14, 2023 Permalink  

  Wind 

  The wind from the southeast has the ability to lift the cover of our mail slot on the west side of the house.  Before I realized what it was, I did have some weird thoughts.

  Dennis headed downtown to the laundry this morning with a load of carpet rag rugs and one load of kitty basket blankets.  I sure appreciated getting that laundry basket empty.

  While I had the quiet of the house to myself, I needed to find the answer as to why we had gotten bumped off of HULU.  There are several programs on it that both Dennis and I enjoy.  I do not like this type of technical quagmire.  By nine forty, all was well.  Where is that Channel 12 with Chuck Pessac?  Life seemed so much easier then.

  With my Murphy wood wipes I tackled my parent’s glider rocking chair.  For seventy five years I have dusted all the spindles, nooks and crannies.  It doesn’t get easier.  I do appreciate being the caregiver of this jewel.  Without a doubt, furniture is not built like this anymore.  Years ago I did have my carpenter reinforce the veneer seat.  Special family memories can be evoked with each wipe of the Murphy wood cloths.

  While I had the Murphy wood wipes out I also tackled our Oak refractory table.  I can squat down far enough to get the job done.  The butt cheeks will be bucking for a while.  I think it’s important to feel your body’s parts to truly appreciate the fact that they still work.  

  Last week I bought a Hamburger Helper box of goodies, the stroganoff flavor.  With browned ground beef, I have it prepared and plan on popping it into the oven for a full through heating, rather than relying on the stove top.  We are oven meal people.

  The wind remains whipping through the yards with a very dark gray cloud cover.

  With that I take my leave.♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on November 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunny Times 

  Sunny day, sunny times.  Could this be Indian summer?

  Whatever it may be, it put me into the tidy, tidy mood.  It was the potion of fall housecleaning that meant the kitchen range was going to be pulled out.  Hmm.  Not surprisingly, there were wayward pills harvested that had jumped or rolled under.  None that were life and death.  As I went from Murphy wood wipes for the microwave stand to the Mr. Clean for some spatters on the walls surrounding the range, I felt empowered.  By noon the range was back in place and the area close to it had been tidied.  Thanks Kevin for the felt pads under the range so it can be easily moved.  That brought on a quick mopping of the total floor.

  My cousin Mark gave us a call.  Earlier this morning, the cousins from Brownton had used the group notification on Facebook to let family members know that Aunt Janet’s 90th birthday would be celebrated at the Penn Church on December 2nd.  By the way, my cousin Dan bought the church after the congregation was closed down.  Janet had never had a family and hats off for the Brownton gang to sponsor an afternoon party.  Mark called to let me know and that he will hopefully be there.

  Mark works for a large printing company in the Hastings area.  He put his hat in the ring to be considered to work on the new HP laser printer they just got set up.  I can’t imagine 42 inch wide rollers on a press that collates and binds, less the covers.  Mark has always treated me as a sister and enjoys sharing the news in his world.  Mark also enjoys quilting and that for sure I can relate to.

  Dennis had a few more items to park in the potting shed that had been in the car garage.  There is nothing like having a bit more elbow room in a garage.  I did notice the three kitty basket’s contents were getting an airing on the clothesline. 

  This week is a gift of nice weather.  I like it, I like it a lot.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on November 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Rejuvenate 

  In searching the internet, I was seeking a floor wax or such thing to put on worn vinyl flooring.  Rejuvenate may be the answer.  Our kitchen flooring and bath flooring has gone beyond the years of retaining that wonderful from the factory finish.  I may give this product a try.  What does work in the most worn foot traffic areas is a Mr. Clean sponge.  Down and close does the trick.  Getting up from the down and close is another matter.  The years where grime was dragged in daily is no more.  Taking off shoes . . . I don’t even want to do that when I come in from outdoors.  Life is too short.

  I spent some time in the studio yesterday and remembered a YouTube video I had watched in using scraps.  In the hunting yesterday I found a sheet of Pellon that has a one inch grid on it.  One side can be used to iron on fabric pieces.  I started playing around and soon I had one inch pieces filling a portion of it.  They were soon ironed down.  From the backside the grid could be seen.  One row of the backside width was folded on the grid line and a scant seam was sewn.  When all the seams in one direction was sewn, the piece was pressed.  Then the length of the piece was again folded on the grid line one row at a time and stitched.  Hmm.  A good press was given.

  I found a piece of batting, and using an extra block of the recent quilt top, I sandwiched them.  A six by seven was too small for me to imagine binding, it was zig zagged several times around the perimeter.  It was entertaining to see if I could do it.  The one inch squares finished at 3/4 inch, indicating how narrow the seams were. This Pellon could just as well have used three inch squares butting up next to each other.  Another curiosity squelched.  I now have a mug rug for my coffee cup and the fingers will rejuvenate from cutting one inch squares.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on November 11, 2023 Permalink  

  11/11 

  November the eleventh and it is a holiday that ceases the mail for the day.

  When Sadie and Sandy were here yesterday, I had a favor to ask of them.  Last week we had two different days that we had water come into our basement from the floor drain.  Since then, my paranode nose has been smelling less than good in the studio.  The same thing can be said of one when they work with livestock.  The nose can lead us astray.  Both gals said there was no hint of anything bad.  Whew! 

  Dennis had taken our car up to the ultimate car wash with the plan of us putting the car cover on the MKX.  His wax job of last week left no water drops on the car.  Sweet. Though we had bought the cheapest car cover as it doesn’t sit outside, I couldn’t get over how heavy it was.  When we read the instructions as to how to handle the area where the antenna is, our plans changed.  Dennis and I do not have the strength to do this correctly.  It is going to be a job for Jeremy and Nicholas to do, if weather permitting, they will be here Thanksgiving day.  Dennis said he would have a very sharp knife or scissors for them as there is a set of grommets to click together where the antenna is after a hole is cut in the center of the grommets.  Good decision.

  I went down to the studio and found what I was seeking for the next step in my quilt top.  I moved an item to get to the target. I looked at it and sorted through it and that led to another and another.  The recycling bin will have some goodies as well as the circular file.  It felt good to lighten the load, getting that which I do have an emotional attachment to being better organized.

  I can putter away a lot of time in the studio.  There are no time restraints and I enjoy being in my element.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on November 10, 2023 Permalink  

  A Gray Friday 

  True to the forecast.  It is a gray day and a chilly one.

  This morning we attended the Veteran’s Day program at the high school.  Sargent Major Sadie was the speaker.  Dennis’s granddaughter did well.  She has 20 years in, having begun in her junior year of high school.  Sadie, Sadie’s mom, Dennis’ daughter Sandy, from Mankato, and Dennis and I went up to the Mexican restaurant for noon lunch.  There are times the two older ones on Stauffer Avenue step out of our comfort zone for restaurant food.

  The better part of the afternoon was spent back at our home for visiting.  Sweet.

  The car cover that we intend on using for our MKX came in today’s mail.  I am not sure what the date will be when we put it in use.  When that time comes, Dennis said he would want to run it through the ultimate car wash, get it home to the heated garage and wipe it down.  Dennis is in charge of that project. 

  It has been a good day for Dennis and for me.  The studio stays dark when family events take precedence.

  This evening, Dennis gets his bean and ham soup for supper.  I may even crack open the jar of pickled beets.

  Each day, I check the tracking of an item I ordered on October 1st.  It is getting closer.  The UK may not be my most favorite to order things from, via Etsy.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on November 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunny Afternoon 

  The sun has made an appearance . . . at least off and on.  It seems like we will have some nice temps through next week.

  My day started out absolutely great.  Thank goodness for phones.

  Just when I thought Dennis had an empty job jar, it was not meant to be.  A bottle of Murphy’s wood soap and whatever is wood in the patio porch is getting cleaned from top to bottom.  Yes, that warrants a nap in between.  Naps are good.  My dad believed in them.

  The lights were on in the studio over the noon hour.  A bit of fabric cutting and a bit of stitching, followed by steam pressing.  That was all she wrote for the day in the studio.

  I wanted to go uptown to the grocer’s.  I noticed last week that their flyer had boxes of steamer frozen veggies on sale.  I made sure that the freezer unit of our refrigerator was organized.  We had picked up an 8lb. bag of chicken tenderloins in Sam’s Club last week.  This was the perfect day to take freezer bags and bag up three tenderloins in each.  The small bags tucked in easily around the ice cream and the heavy bag was a drag to get out and take out a few each time.  With the freezer tidied, I knew how much of the frozen vegies I could buy.  It’s nice to have a variety over and above from canned goods.  I was also hungry for pickled beets.  Dennis was hungry for the chunky Campbell’s bean and ham soup.  Mission completion.  My all time favorite apple is the McIntosh.  I have three bags of 5lb. each in the refrigerator in the basement.  An apple a day will keep the doctor away . . . I hope, I hope.

  We no longer have heavy meals for supper, but I do like to put out a variety of supper meals.  Between the freezer and the pantry, the bases are covered.  I did leave three chicken tenderloins out for supper.  Instant mashed potatoes and a can of green beans will round things out.  I have never cared for frozen green beans.  I think they are tough.

  What I had on my mind has seemed to dribble out into a blog post.  What I find to be thankful for is that my mental energy and my physical energy is quite well paired.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥